Anti-Anxiety Pill Contains Metal Shard, Makes Patient Anxious

People routinely cut or snap pills in half to change their dose or save money by taking half of a larger dose. Generally, they don’t expect to find anything inside when they do so. One woman in Denver was dividing her medicine, a generic version of the antianxiety drug Buspar, and noticed a metal shard. Just what anyone needs: more things to be anxious about.

The drug’s manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, told TV station KDVR that they can’t comment on the patient’s allegations until they’ve investigated the situation. However, she went to the media, concerned that she or any other patient might have already taken a pill with a similar shard embedded inside.

A medical expert who the station consulted notes that it’s unlikely that such a fine piece of metal would cause any harm as it goes through the digestive system, but it might cause issues if it has any poisonous substances on or in it, such as mercury.

If something similar happens to you, you should probably dial up your pharmacy and the Food and Drug Administration before the local media.